Thrust into the Charge's starting lineup the past two weeks, Shane Edwards played like a starter.

He averaged 14 points and 8.2 rebounds in helping Canton split six games away from home.

But Arinze Onuaku returned to practice Monday. The mammoth Charge center casts a shadow on everything, including Edwards' playing time.

No worries, says Edwards, whose minutes have yo-yoed all season depending on Onuaku's status.

"I'm happy with whatever time I get," said the 26-year-old forward, who is averaging 11.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 18 games. "Any chance to get out there and bring energy and help the team, I'm all for it.

"Whether I'm in the starting lineup or bringing a spark off the bench, you're going to get the same me."

Edwards' steady play has been a consistent positive for the East Division-leading Charge (12-7).

A 2011 D-League All-Star with the New Mexico franchise, which became the Charge, Edwards began this season as a starter with Onuaku not yet on the team.

He scored 18 points in the season opener. But soon he was in a reserve role. The Charge reacquired Onuaku after the Syracuse product was waived by the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans.

The Charge's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, Onuaku has missed the past six games with turf toe. Edwards stepped in and played well, averaging 33.5 minutes a night.

That stretch included a season-high 23 points against Texas at the D-League Showcase and Edwards twice notching a season-high 13 rebounds.

"He's been playing at a very high level," Charge head coach Steve Hetzel said.

Barring a setback, Onuaku should return to the court Friday at Springfield, Mass. And that should mean a drop in Edwards' minutes.

"I've learned to not let that affect the way I come out and play," Edwards said.

Edwards plays bigger than his 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame would suggest. With a long wingspan, explosive hops and quickness, the Arizona native can be a tough matchup for opposing bigs.

"Offensively, he's our best screener as a big. He has go-to moves in the post. He's been very effective one-on-one in the post, and he has a nice jump shot."

A training-camp cut of the Denver Nuggets in 2010, Edwards originally came to the Charge during their inaugural 2011-12 season after a knee injury while playing in Italy. But the knee never was right and he played only five games.

After playing in Australia last year, Edwards decided to go the D-League route again. The Charge brought him in as a returning player.

Edwards is part of a crowded Charge front court that includes Onuaku, Kevin Jones and Michael Lee. He understands how to ride the playing-time waves unique to the D-League.

Page 2 of 2 - "You can't be frustrated and look at it in a negative way," he said. "You always know you're going to get back out on the court soon."